The strong emphasis of technology is slowly diminishing the importance of the human element in libraries. The current changes in population demand cultural sensitivity training in all walks of life. Libraries and librarians have a role to play. They need to cope with the multicultural environment by understanding the basics of multiculturalism and applying them in the library setting. Librarians can achieve better relationships with their patrons and colleagues by gaining more insight into the differences that exist between cultures and applying them to their work environment. Cultures differ in many aspects: sense of self and space, time and time consciousness, communication and language, relationships and associations, mental processes and learning styles, work habits and practices, beliefs and attitudes, values and norms, dress and appearance, and food habits. Each of these areas is discussed, followed by suggestions on how libraries can approach the issues in regard to library staff and patrons. Lists are included of what library associations, libraries, and librarians can do to apply multiculturalism in their organizations. (Contains 49 endnotes.) (Author/AEF)

plus-circle Add Review

comment

Reviews